Southeast Regional Series Brings Elite Bicycle Races to Knoxville

June 29, 2015 3:00 PM

Knoxville, TN - The leaderboard has taken shape for the biggest cycling series across the South. The Southeast Regional Series presented by BikeReg (SRS) returns to Knoxville, Tenn., July 11-12, as a state-points competition in partnership with the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association. Male, female and masters (ages 35 and over) cyclists will compete for Best Area Rider (BAR) points during the two-day race weekend.

SRS in Knoxville is an Omnium event with all three disciplines - an individual time trial, criterium and road race. The weekend's events will be hosted by Visit Knoxville, the Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Racers and spectators can expect a full day of activities on Saturday, July 12. The Tour Stop Knoxville Time Trial begins at 8 a.m. along Martin Mill Pike, followed by the Tour Stop Knoxville Criterium at 11 a.m. The criterium features a one-mile circuit through downtown Knoxville. The start/finish is located on Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, adjacent to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.

Sunday features The Tour Stop Knoxville Road Race at 8 a.m., with the start/finish in Corryton, Tenn.

Racers will navigate an 11-mile loop starting at Corryton School Road near House Mountain State Natural Area. The route includes a climb on Hogskin Road for the King of the Mountain/Queen of the Mountain points competition, a prize for the best climbers.

"We are really excited to partner with the Southeast Regional Series," said Nathan Stone, who serves as the Road Director for the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association. "The event draws some of the best cycling teams in the state. Adding the best area rider points to the competition allows us to really showcase some of these riders.

"Each season the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association (TBRA) offers BAR point-series competitions for individuals in road racing. Points are accumulated for race results throughout the year, with the riders with the most points earning Best Area Rider jerseys. To be eligible, cyclists must either be Tennessee residents or members of a TBRA club. More than 3,600 members reside in Tennessee.

Admission is free for spectators at the SRS events in July. In addition to Visit Knoxville, Provision Sports Medicine has been added as a local sponsor. Athletes can race all three events to quality for the BAR or Omnium points. Individuals and teams are encouraged to register early before fields close Thursday, July 9 at 5 p.m. Registration information, the complete SRS schedule and event updates are available on at www.srs-racing.com

The Southeast Regional Series presented by BikeReg expects to award over $30,000 in cash and prizes this year at its four weekend events. It is the only road racing series for amateur and elite cycling teams which offers points competitions spanning multiple states. The series will conclude in August in Greenville, S.C. when overall champions are crowned based on the season-long SRS points in each race discipline- criterium and road race. Special award jerseys are presented for best sprinters and climbers (male and female): PEZ Cycling News Sprinters jersey and BikeReg King/Queen of the Mountain jersey. The SRS-Hincapie Sportswear Overall Leaders jersey will be presented at the Series Championship, August 8-9.

Start Smart Cycling, LLC (SSC) provides professional event management and consultation for all areas of cycling and related events. Founded in 2010 by President Marilyn Cullinane, SSC assists in pre-planning through post-event planning and on-site event execution.